CBS to FCC: We'll fight Super Bowl fines

July 26, 2004

CBS said it would fight any fines leveled against its television stations over Janet Jackson’s halftime performance at this year’s Super Bowl, according to the Associated Press.

The network could face a $550,000 or a maximum penalty of $27,500 for each of 20 CBS-owned stations. An FCC staff recommendation did not call for fining non-Viacom-owned CBS affiliates that aired the Super Bowl halftime show.

Leslie Moonves, Viacom co-president and co-chief operating officer, told the Television Critics Association this month that a fine would be grossly unfair.

Although the network said it regretted the Jackson incident and has added a five-second precautionary delay for live events, Moonves said, such an approach is not feasible for news or sports.

Since the Super Bowl, Moonves said the network’s standards and practices department is being tougher, especially on things the network feels is gratuitous.